When it comes to shaving, everybody has different needs. So, it would be unwise to pick any shaving product available in your local store. In terms of shaving, black men face a unique set of problems.
They have curly and coarse hairs and on the other hand, they have usually sensitive skin. So, we need to pick shaving products that would look after these two issues.
In today’s market, there are a variety of razors available ranging from safety razors to electric razors with a plethora of different items in between them.
We did some digging and tried and tested some of the best razors available and have compiled a list of razors that we believe are best for black men in today’s market.
So, without further delay, let’s dive right into the list of our best razors for black men.
A Comparison of Best Razors for Black Men
Razor | Type of razor | No of blades | |
---|---|---|---|
Schick Hydro 5 Razor | Cartridge | 5 | Check Price |
Gillette Mach3 Razor | Cartridge | 3 | Check Price |
BIC Twin-Disposable Razor | Cartridge | 2 | Check Price |
Bevel Safety Razor | Closed comb | Double edge | Check Price |
Harry's Razor | Cartridge | 2 | Check Price |
Dovo Straight Razor | Straight | 1 | Check Price |
Dorco Pace 6 Razor | Cartridge | 6 | Check Price |
Gillette Fusion5 ProGlide Razor | Cartridge | 5 | Check Price |
Merkur Futur Razor | Closed comb | Double edge | Check Price |
Parker 24c Open Comb Razor | Open Comb | Double edge | Check Price |
1. Schick Hydro 5 Razor – Best Razor for Sensitive Black Skin
Schick was founded in 1926 and has been producing some fine personal care products ever since. One of their specialty is shaving razors. Hydro 5 is their latest innovation designed specifically for sensitive skins.
Over recent times, Schick has redesigned it and made it larger to increase skin stretch which consequently gives a smooth shave. What I personally like about this razor is its flip beard trimmer which is a special design for places that are hard to trim.
In addition, it has a hydrating gel reservoir that hydrates the skin during the whole course of your shave. The company claims that this product is dermatologically tested for sensitive skin with instant lubrication protection which according to them delivers 40% less friction than a usual lube strip.
Moreover, when it comes to shaving, this razor as good as any. You can use it daily and forget about what a difficult shave feels like. Because of its broader design, it stretches the skin and makes a clean cut. Additionally, it has hydrating gel hydrating the skin during the process.
If you are using good shaving cream, this renders the lubricating reservoir useless, but why spend money on shaving creams when the razor itself is hydrating the skin, right?
What I really love about this razor is that the blades are powerful and efficient and you would never have to go over one spot more than twice. Blades are pretty durable and last a week if you use them daily.
Even if your one blade wears out, Schick provides you 17 blades in the package, so you don’t have to worry about refills for a while at least.
Schick Hydro 5 just like its design is very good in terms of price. It is almost a wonder that a razor this good comes at such an affordable price, it is way more budget-friendly than its competitors. What makes the deal even more mouthwatering is that it comes with 17 blade refills.
- Affordable
- Durable
- 17 extra blades in the package
- Great on sensitive skin
- None
2. Gillette Mach3 Sensitive Razor – Best Gillette Razor for Black Men
You have to be really good over a great length of time to be a synonym of something. Gillette over the last few decades has almost become a synonym for shaving or razors.
They have always managed to make it to headlines be it their controversial ads or their excellent personal care products. You may like them or hate them, but you can’t deny the fact that they have top-notch personal care products and Gillette Mach3 is one of such products.
First of all, Gillette Mach3 is disposable and it has a lot of features for disposable razors. If you have sensitive skin and often get razor bumps when you use disposable razors, then I would recommend you to try this one.
This razor gave me a really smooth shave without causing any discomfort and I didn’t have to go over the same spot twice unlike the majority of disposable razors and this I think is probably because of its blade design.
Basically, the design has three blades, so with every single stroke, we get two additional strokes which make it more efficient. In addition to that, blades are also coated in a patented diamond-like coating which makes them stronger and sharper and consequently makes them able to cut close to the skin.
Normally, I use shaving cream every time I shave, but this one time I decided to give it a shot without it, and to my surprise, it provided me a really smooth glide. This was because of its lubrastrip and because of its soft and protective micro-fins which gently smooth down the skin.
Moreover, the razor in addition to its effective design is easy to clean as well. Essentially, it just took one wash to rinse off all the debris between the blades. This is because of its open architecture system which is another addition to its long list of well-thought-out features.
In terms of price, this razor is pretty affordable and the price is justified considering its wonderful features. However, since these razors are disposable and are meant for one-time use only, you can’t use them for an everyday shave as it will cost too much money.
However, if you are away from home and forgot to pack your regular razor, this the best bet for you especially if you have sensitive skin and want a close shave.
- Triple-blade design
- Extra lubricating strip
- Microfine skin guard
- Expensive for everyday use
Gillette Vs Schick – Which is Better
When it comes to personal care products, it is really up to your personal preference. Different people may have different experience with the same product.
Gillette and Schick have produced a variety of razors over the years and each has different characteristics. So, it would be hard to compare both brands as a general. So, we decided to put it as Gillette Mach3 Vs Schick Hydro 5.
When it comes to razors we need to look at a number of things. These include price, number of blades, smoothness of shave, sharpness, and type of razor whether it is disposable or non-disposable.
Feature | Gillette Mach 3 | Schick Hydro 5 |
---|---|---|
Price | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Number of blades | 3 | 5 |
Smoothness of Shave | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Sharpness of Blades | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Razor Type | Cartridge (disposable) | (non-disposable) |
3. BIC Twin Razor – Best Disposable Razor for Black Men
What do you do if you forget to pack your regular razor while on a trip away from home? You go and take BIC Twin disposable reason, you want to know why? Here is the reason.
The first reason to purchase this razor is its handle which is longer and tapered and gives you complete control and excellent maneuverability during the shave. The second reason is its blades which are specially designed for sensitive skins to provide a soothing and comfortable shave.
However, when I used this razor I was surprised by how well it worked. The razor worked in my favor and gave me a great close enough shave, but not too close to cut the skin.
This is also one of the features you need to look out for when you are a black man.
If your blade cuts underneath the skin, it is going to give you ingrown hairs. However, if a blade cuts at the skin it won’t give you ingrown hairs.
This razor is best for people who have skin that is not adjusting quite well with the razors containing multiple blades. Basically, this razor has just two blades in it and can help you resolve your problem.
One problem however I couldn’t help myself noticed was its lack of a swivel head. So, it might just need somewhat getting used to.
The best thing about this razor is its price, you would get three packs of razors each containing 10 of them in the same price as a single pack containing 8 razors of several brands
- Affordable
- Two blades do not cause skin irritation
- Razor lacks swivel head
4. Bevel Safety Razor – Best Safety Razor For Black Men
For the people who get razor bumps with the regular razors especially Afro-American people this one is for you guys.
Basically, this razor is a double-edged safety razor and is designed to shave at skin level smoothly which is key to a close and trouble-free shave.
As said earlier, multi-blade razors can cut beneath the surface of the skin which is the most probable cause of razor bumps and ingrown hair. Bevel safety razors use a single blade which reduces the chances of irritation and reduces the bumps and also provides a good close shave.
First of all, you are going to love its design. Basically, it has a good-looking alluring. The handle is 4 inches long and is made up of solid brass and plated with chromium.
Additionally, a special grip of matte texture is also there to provide a firm grip when your hands are wet and soapy. This also provides excellent maneuverability
Moreover, the sides of the razor’s head are slick and angled well so the blade doesn’t stick out which is good for shaving the head. Another thing worth mentioning is its weight which allows the razor to apply pressure, not you.
Additionally, there is an opening at the bottom. This is very helpful as it allows you to wash off the hair easily and quickly which is important when you are shaving under a shower.
- Double edge blade
- Excellent grip
- Prevents irritation
- Not good for people with skin disorders
5. Harry’s Men’s Razor – Affordable Razor for a clean and smooth shave
It is a German-engineered blade and who can beat Germans when it comes to manufacturing wonderful products. First of all, the design of this razor is unique and one of its kind comprising of two German-engineered blade cartridges with a lubricating strip and flexible joint.
The flexible hinge is made up of rubber and works really well in balancing the elasticity and resistance. Therefore, this makes the glide smooth and comfortable. Additionally, it comes with a travel cover that protects the blade during the journey.
Additionally, it is made up of a heavy core and ergonomic shape which feels pretty sturdy and good in hands.
Talking about its efficiency, the blades work really well on all kind of hair and works even better when used with proper shaving cream and provides a close shave.
There are a few problems however with this razor involving its size, the size is too big to be used on upper lips and those who try to do upper lip with this razor may end up cutting themselves.
Cartridge size is also a little big than it should be and I personally found it hard to maneuver. I thought hard about the rationale for this by the manufacturer but honestly could not come up with one.
Another problem with this razor is the angling of blades, the blades are not precisely angled and don’t provide a good close shave in absence of shaving cream. Because of the angle, the blades often get clogged and are not easy to clean.
- Affordable
- Good for sensitive skin
- Firm grip
- Gets clogged
- Needs shaving cream for a close shave
6. Dovo Silver Shavette Straight Razor – Best Straight Shavette Razor for Black Men
This razor is entirely different and unique from all the products aforementioned in the list. This is a typical orthodox straight razor and has so many reasons to be on my list.
One of the many features to admire about this razor is its design. It essentially has matte finish stainless handles with a polished stainless blade holder with a red insert. So, if there is one thing you don’t need to worry about is its durability. Do not come running after me if I say this razor can last you a lifetime, it is that good.
Another wonderful thing about this razor like most straight razors is its compatibility with blades. It is basically compatible with almost every blade available, from modern double-edged blades to orthodox single-edged blades.
This means that you don’t have to worry about the specific refills, just go to the near market and purchase whatever blade you put your hands on and you are good to go.
If you are switching from typical open comb razors, safety razors, or modern cartridge razors, you need to be mindful that this razor uses a different technique.
So, expect the need to get used to or there are chances you might nick yourself while you are at it. But once you get used to it and manage to hold it like a pro this is the best thing you would ever put on your skin.
Basically, this shavette comes in two designs, one has a red insert and the other has a black insert. The problem with the red insert is that it doesn’t hold onto DE blades firmly. It doesn’t clamp shut around them, instead, it sandwiches them into the holster.
The contact area of the red insert is also larger than DE blades so you’d end up removing the shaving cream from the spots you haven’t shaved. However, this problem can be avoided by purchasing the razor with a black insert that has just the right length and clamps shuts around the blade.
- Durable
- Provides close and clean shave
- Shaving technique requires time to master
7. Dorco Pace 6 Razor – Innovative Razor with Six Blades
Dorso made history when they announced the world’s first-ever razor with six blades, yes you read it right! six blades. As six blades were not enough, they later went on to develop a design that has an extra trimmer, so on the total, you get seven blades and that’s huge.
To be honest I was a bit wary to use this razor because of my sensitive skin especially on the neck area where sometimes even a razor with four blades causes. However, I finally swallowed the nasty pill and decided to give it a shot.
One might think how is it possible that a razor this sharp and fast didn’t cause any irritation and it was also the first thought the popped into my mind. The reason why it didn’t cause irritation was its strip which contains aloe, Vitamin E, and lavender oil. Lavender extracts rejuvenate the skin while aloe vera moisturizes the sensitive skin and vitamin E serves as an anti-aging and antioxidant entity.
Another feature that makes it trouble-free is probably its tilting head. This increases the shaving precision. Additionally, its large soft rubber fins provide protection from nicks and cuts. These features make it comfortable for people who have sensitive skin.
Last but not the least, this razor only takes one wash to rinse off all the debris and the blades don’t get clogged which is because of Dorco’s Open Flow Cartridge used in this razor.
- 6 blades
- The strip contains aloe, lavender oil, and vitamin E
- Tilting head
- Open flow cartridge
- Six blades might be a lot to take in for some people
8. Gillette Fusion5 ProGlide Razor – Best Razor for Hard to Reach Shaving Points
Fusion5 ProGlide is the latest version of the Gillette Fusion razor series and it has enhanced features than simple Fusion5. The designer has enhanced lubrastrip, precision trimmer, and flexball technology.
The best thing about this razor is its flexball technology. Basically, this technology makes the razor flexible and because of this, the razor adjusts itself to the contour of the body. This, in turn, makes reaching the trickiest area easy and provides an excellent, smooth, and clean shave.
When comparing to the basic Fusion razor, the lubrastrip is also enhanced and has more lubricant. It additionally has a touch of mineral oil to make the shave even smoother.
However, the flexball technology backfires sometimes when you are trying to shave odd edges.
Moreover, this razor is compatible with all the Fusion5 blades and all the blades work equally well. Additionally, this razor just takes one wash to clean all the debris and so clogging isn’t a problem.
- Flexball technology
- Enhanced Lubrastrip
- Head can be a little too flexible sometimes
Gillette Mach3 Vs Fusion 5
There are some noticeable differences when it comes to these two famous Gillette models. In essence, Mach3 is a disposable razor while Fusion 5 is a regular razor which can be reused.
Mach3 has three blades as opposed to Fusion 5 which has five blades which makes it sharper and so it can cut more hair in a single stroke. Mach3 provides a close shave but not as close as Fusion 5.
Another difference is the price, the price of Fusion 5 is way higher than Mach3 and the reason is obvious as Mach3 is a disposable razor and you can use Fusion 5 as a regular razor.
9. MERKUR Futur Double Edge Safety Razor – Aggressive Razor for Dry and Coarse Hair
This razor is a flagship product of Merkur because of its adjustable double edge safety razor which offers adjustable blade gaps from 1 to 6 which adjusts the aggressiveness of the razor with a simple twist.
I must say Merkur has gone a long way to producing a design like this. It is manufactured in Germany and its products have the ability to last for a lifetime.
Snap-cap design has made the loading of blades pretty simple for me. Additionally, the adjustable head offers the ability to control the blade gap allowing me to adjust the closeness of the shave.
In addition, the head of this razor is heavy and you don’t have to apply pressure to get a close shave. A problem that one might have with this feature is it cuts off all the things sticking out of the skin.
Therefore, people who have pimples or other skin disorders may get unnecessary cuts during the shave. However, this problem can be avoided. You can set the right degree of closeness and this consequently sets the right level of aggressiveness. This will enable you to avoid unnecessary nicks and cuts.
The thing which makes it budget-friendly is its compatibility with inexpensive readily available blades.
- Adjustable design
- Snap cap design
- Expensive
- Too aggressive for some people
10. Parker 24C Razor – Best Wet Shaving Razor
For a long time, Parker has produced the finest and efficient shaving equipment and grooming accessories for men. 24C is one of their finest productions. It is an open comb three-piece razor.
Parker24c has a brass frame which gives it great durability. It additionally gives it a shiny look. But, it lacks finishing. This Parker razor has a length of 4 inches. Its handle gives a nice hold because it has a gritty metal handle. When you have a razor weighing 3.3 ounces, you can call it a heavyweight razor. Because it has most of its weight in the handle, this makes it very sturdy.
Because of its three-piece design, you can separate it into pieces. This, in turn, makes aligning the blade easy and precise. Its tooth-edged design enables maximum interaction between razors and hair.
This open comb razor provides a nice grip because it has two sets of grooves, one near the toe end and the second near the top. I would recommend you hold it near the head. The grooves allow easy and tight grip. As we all know, a tight grip is essential to any great shaving.
Because of its design, hair debris doesn’t clog it. Additionally, after the shave, its disassembly makes it easier to clean. It is around 4 inches long, so if you have large hands as we expect a normal black man to have it is a great advantage.
Parker 24C is a wet shaving razor. Because of medium aggressiveness, it is good for both beginners and experienced. Razor provides an optimal shave to all individuals.
- Classic design
- Firm grip
- Easy to clean
- Doesn’t get clogged
- Heavyweight
- Not suitable for a too hard beard.
How to Shave with Razor Properly for Black Men?
Black people because of their sensitive skin get many dermatological problems like burning sensation, and irritation because of shaving. So, they need to be very diligent when going about shaving. We would like to give some tips on how to shave properly for them to avoid some of these issues.
The first step to get a proper shave is hydrating the skin. This decreases the risks of nicks and cuts. Hydrating the skin softens the hair and allow the razors to glide comfortably. So, the best time to shave is immediately after the shower or under the shower.
Otherwise, we recommend washing the face with an oil-removing face wash to remove all the oil and dead skin to get a smooth shave. Use the shaving cream to hydrate the hair also improves the glide of the razor and makes the shave comfortable.
Above all, check the quality of the blades before shaving. If the blades or strip is worn out, change the blade because dull blades can lead to nicks and cuts which aren’t very comfortable.
Rinse the razor during the shave after every two or three strokes. This will prevent clogging. Just don’t tap the razor against the sink as it can damage the precisely angled blades in the razors.
In addition, we would recommend shaving in the direction of hair growth. This will allow the hairs to come straight next time and it would be easier to shave.
After each shave doesn’t forget to apply aftershave, rub it all over the face to moisturize and soothe the skin. They also have antiseptic properties, so they will fight any infection or inflammation.
Which Razor to Buy - An Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Black Men Shaving
The decision of choosing the right razor is very important, but it is not that easy. I hope by now you have made your mind about the razor you want to buy or at least have narrowed down your options.
However, to help you with your decision, here a few things which might help you in making the correct purchase. Several factors must be kept in mind when going for a razor, so you don’t face any trouble afterward. We will discuss all of those factors here one by one.
Type of Razor
There are a lot of different types of razors currently available in the market. They include safety razors, straight razors, cartridge razors, and electric shavers to name a few.
The type of razor is highly significant because every type of razor requires a different technique which may need time to learn and during the time of learning there are chances you might end up getting nicks and cuts. So, you can go between different razors of the same type, but don't change the type of razor you use frequently.
Weight of Razor
The weight of the razor is pretty important because if the razor is lightweight you will have to apply pressure to get a close shave.
However, if the razor is heavy, it itself will apply pressure and you won’t need to apply force by yourself.
The aggressiveness imparts some qualities to the razors like giving a close shave, but at the same time requires a higher degree of control.
Size of Razor Head
The size of the razor head is important when the shaving area is tricky. A razor with a bigger head like Harry's men razor covers a bigger area in a single stroke. Therefore, they might work well on an area like the head and cheeks, but when it comes to upper lips their big head restricts their use.
For this, you will need an extra razor to get the job done. I would recommend you purchase a razor of moderate size. A razor-like Schick Hydro 5 which has a medium head can shave every part of the body without causing any trouble.
Flexibility
A flexible head means a razor can get adjust itself to the contours of the body and can shave the tricky parts of the body easily.
If you are new to this technology, you would need time to adjust and you must consider this factor before making the purchase.
Easy Cleaning of Razor
Cleaning of the razor is also of sheer importance. You won’t want a razor to clog during the shave?
Some razors get clogged during the shave and aren’t easy to rinse but some of the razors use proper technologies to help with this problem.
Dorco Pace 6 has used an open cartridge system which allows effective cleaning in just one wash despite 6 blades present in it. So, if you want to avoid this headache, I’d suggest you purchase the razor which has this kind of design.
Number of Blades
A greater number of blades means the removal of a large portion of hair in a single stroke. While this may be an advantage for some, can be a headache for others.
This is because of their lube stick which contains vitamin E, lavender, and aloe vera. So this factor must also be kept in mind while making the purchase.
Conclusion
Shaving is not easy for people with sensitive skin and coarse hair but it provides a unique challenge of choosing a razor that is extra hard on hair, but extra light on the skin. We tried to provide a list of the best razors for black men the market has to offer.
I hope these razors would enable you to avoid the problems related to shaving. However, if there is anything you want to add or ask, please feel free to comment and I would love to respond.